Isaiah 40:3 A voice of one is calling: "In the wilderness, prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for God."
My son and I, working late into a Friday night, prepare the fruits, lay out the fish, chop up the onions to make cive'che, and continue to prepare for a big fish fry fundraiser planned for tomorrow evening.
I went shopping. Setting things in order, scraps quickly go in the garbage. I wash dishes and put things away, leaving space, making the way clear for his handiwork with a knife.
Without proper preparation, chaos in the kitchen and a less than satisfactory result could be our outcome.
Corey set me up with the task of rolling the limes, slicing and squeezing. Who would know that these little gems of deliciousness together, supply so much juice?
I am following my son's lead, as he has done this before.
When I shared the event with a friend today, she surprised me by asking if I needed plates and napkins; she would gladly drop them off in the morning for our event. What a blessing!
Earlier preparation included extensive advertising and of course, several fishing trips to supply and inspire our event.
We anticipate a fun and successful day.
Have you prepared your heart for what God wants you to hear--what He wants to stir up in your walk with Him?
Some of us need more prep time than others. We don't see the clutter, the garbage in the way.
Things remain frozen and what we've "caught"...we don't know what to do with.
Maybe you've "left things out on the counter," always with a good intention, but how things spoil fast!
Sometimes it takes someone whose experience teaches us how to take a step, encourage us in the right ways to prepare. We begin to read His Word and study to learn, spend more time in prayer, actually attend church and get involved.
Other times, a blessing comes unexpectedly and we see the goodness of the Lord. It makes us yearn for more. Gratefulness prepares us again into humbleness and to recognize more of His grace.
When He's touched us, inspired by the Holy Spirit to grow, sharing comes natural and with God, we boldly tell our story and anticipate with joy, all He has prepared for us.
Jesus, He's all about preparation: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also."
Clear what clutters, lay out your purchased heart before Him. Allow Him to make you into a "gem of deliciousness," prepared to receive and serve all His goodness.
Lord, thank you that you lead us into preparation for all you have for us. You show us, when we humble ourselves before you, where the clutter lies. You gather it and discard it, clearing the way for us to receive abundant life. The results are a bounty of Your goodness and wisdom from Your Word that continues to prepare us to walk everyday in Your light. What You prepare for us--indescribable! Amen.
Isaiah 40: 3-8 A voice is calling,"Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness; make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. Let every valley be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; and let the rough ground become a plain, and the rugged terrain a broad valley; then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and the flesh will see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken,"
A voice says, "Call out."
The he answered, "What shall I call out?"
All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.
Sometimes we have so much in the way. Our past, our regrets, our fears, our unwillingness to let some things go, things we even think define us. Even other people stand in our path, or physical things block our view of what He longs to teach us, lavish upon us. I find the most amazing moments with God come at the time I am most transparent. When I've purged, cried out in a wilderness, poughed under and dumpstered my sins, my faithlessness, my petty concerns, asked forgiveness, God blesses me with his mercy. Many times it is so tangible. This world is a bleak, vast and empty place without seeing the glory of God. Every daylight, I long for God to break through and show me his glory. The wilderness is wild and worldy. Apart from Him, I can do nothing.
Writing a book on grief and God's journey in recovery, frequently I am in awe- struck wonder and must set aside my keyboad and grab my journal for the amazing things God is teaching and showing me. There is no such thing as coincidence when you are doing the work of the Lord and the Holy Spirit is IN IT!. Scripture tells us if you seek Him, you will find Him.
God is waiting. If you're stalling out, pull over. He'll jump start your day until you get to the next place and then he'll replace the battery. You'll soon find your own voice He has ordained in you to bring Him glory in the wilderness. You are a beautiful story and God wants to tell it!
The Word of God is relevant and true for Your life in this day. Open it. Be filled in His grace.
Lord, thank you for bringing us through the wilderness. We, made in Your image, bloom for Your glory. One day, our fading flesh will wither as a flower. Help me Lord, to fly on wings like eagles, to continue to be a voice of encouragment and inspiration. What you do in our hearts and in eternity, lives on forever and in that I am grateful to be a part of Your glorious design, to know You and make You known. Amen.
